Technical Abstract:
Dovyalis (Tropical apple) is an exotic fruit originated in Africa, reddish-orange color and high acidity. Tropical apricot or Kei apple (Dovyalis hebecarpa X D. abyssinica) P.I. 112086, is a natural cross which resulted from a mixed planting of D. hebecarpa and D. abyssinica at the Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (Chapman Field) in Miami Florida. This specific clone ‘P.I. 112086’, is in full production, and has been vegetatively (air layered) propagated. This preliminary study is unique, because there are few studies concerning the uses of the dovyalis in literature. The results showed that the acidity of the fruits of dovyalis ‘P.I. 112086’ (4.26 % citric acid) was significantly higher than that of cultivar ‘Romana’ (1.5 % citric acid). The fruits of P.I. 112086 also had high ratio (7.55) and the pulp color tends to yellow-green (a*= 15.01, b*19.5), significantly different from other cultivars. In general, no significant differences in pulp yield (76 %), however, soluble solids (15-19 ºBrix), width (28 mm) and length (23 mm). Thus, we suggest that the fruits of this hybrid (D. hebecarpa and D. abyssinica) present ability for breeding, market and production of sweets (jelly, wine, ice cream) and juices. The objective was to evaluate the potential use of the fruits of dovyalis for the fresh fruit market or is potential as replacement crop for other industry (avocado, citrus), taking in consideration its physical and physical-chemical characteristics. These characteristics of the fruit and flavor of dovyalis provide a potential market for the diversification of commercial production of underutilized fruits.
Index terms: Brix, tropical apricot, tritatable acidity, colorimeter,